Temperature regulation



July 24, 1928; 1,678,213

C. FORTIER TEMPERATURE REGULATION Filed Dec. 27, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 24, 1928.

' c. L. FORTIER wwsnagzma Rs'eumnou 2' Shanta-Shoat 2 Filed D60. 27, 1926 'Patented July 24, 1928.

v 1,618,213 UNITED STATES PATENTAOFFICE.

CHARLES LYMAN- FORTIEB, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T JOHNSON SERVICE COMPANY, OF-MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

' TEMPERATURE nnouna'rron.

Application filed Iiecember 27, 1926. Serial No. 157,845.

This invention relates to temperature regulation, and particularly to systems inten ed for use in large buildings, suchas factories, school-houses and ofiice buildings, and arranged to maintain one temperature during the day and another'temperature dur-- ing the night, the temperature in each room being controlled by a thermostat local to that particular room. f

In its simplest form the invention conteme plates the use of. two pneumatic thermostats in each room, one set to maintain one temperature, for convenience called day temperature, and the other set to maintain a lower temperature, for convenience called night temperature.- The day thermostats are'supplied by one supply line, and the night thermostats are supplied. by another supply line, and a master valve, under the control of the engineeipis arranged tosupply pressure to one supply line and simultaneouslyv vent the other supply line. The effect is to render one thermostat operative and the other inoperative, Both thermostats are connected to operate a single heat control means such as a valve mechanism controlling one or more radiators in the, room, and

a switching valve mechanism is included which is responsive to pressure conditions in one or both of the supply lines, and which functions to connect the active thermostat in controlling-relation with the heat controlling means to the exclusion of the inactive thermostat.

A system of the simple type just outlined is sufiicient for; buildings which are occupied as an entirety or vacant as an entirety, and itwill be understood that the night thermostat may be set to respond at such a low temperature that the efiect of placing the night thermostat in control is virtually to shut off the supply of heat.

There is, however, a typeof buildings, notably school buildings and office buildings,- in which one or more rooms may be oocupied at night, a condition requiring some provision for the heatingofsuch rooms to normal day temperatures at such time, while the remaining rooms in the building remain at night tem erature. To meet this condition I have urt-her developed the structure by the inclusionof a diverting valve or controller-local to each room and capable of a setting in which the day thermostat is rendered operative to control the heating means.

. plates the temporar .connection of the day thermostat to the night supply line, the arrangement being such that when the thermostat is so connected it is connected to actuate theheat controlling means to the exclusion of the night thermostat. In the accompanying drawings, I illustrate indiagram two arrangements, respectlvely meeting the requirements of the two operative conditions above outlined.- The drawingsare diagrammatic, and no eifort has been made to preserve the scale of the various parts as these parts are susceptible of Wide variations and follow standard practice in the art. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic layout of a sys tem for controlling the day and night. temperatures in large buildings where no provision is made for maintaining the day tem perature in. any room while the night temperature is effective.

Fig. 2 is a similar diagram of a system having means for permitting the maintenance of the day temperature in any room while the system as a whole is 'set to maintain night temperature.

In each view control equipment for two rooms is shown, but it will be understood that any number of units for controlling additional rooms may be connected in a similar manner. The equipment for each individual roonr is enclosed in dotted lines, and the rooms are differentiated by the legends Room 1 and Room 2.

An ordinary steam radiator is indicated at 5 and is intended as typical of any re'gulable local heating means. Steam for the radiator is supplied through a connection 6- under the control of the diaphragm operated valve 7 of ordinary type.) This ineludes a diaphragm motor 8 and a spring 9 which tends to open the valve. The parts are so arranged that when pressure is ad- "mitted to the diaphragm motor-8 the spring 9 is overpowered and the valve 7 is closed." Conversely, when the diaphragm motor 8 is/vented the spring 9 opens the valve 7.

'Motive pressure fluid. is supplied to the diaphragm motor 8 through a pipe connection 10 and the supply of motive fluid to this pipe is under the alternate control of two thermostats, 11,- which is the day thermoe stat, an'd' 11, which is the night thermostat.

These thermostats are preferably of identiin which. the thermally responsive element act-s directly, or through a relay, to admit pressure fluid to the pressure motor 8 or release it therefrom.

The necessary pressure fluid is supplied to the thermostat 11 by a supply line 12 and to the thermostat 11 by a supply line 12. The supply lines 12 and 12 are connected with the master valve 13 WhlCh includes a vent port 14 and a rotary plug 15. The valve 13 and plug 15 are so designed that in one position of the plug 15 one of the lines 12 or 12, as the case may be, 1s connected with su ply reservoir 16 and the other with the verit 14.

In order to prevent interference by the inert one of the two thermostats 11 or 11 with the action of the other, a switching valve mechanism is provided, which in this case consists of two diaphragm valves, one of which,l7 is interposed between thermostat 11 and the pipe 10, and the other of which, 17, is interposed between the thermostat 11 and the ipe '10. Considering first the valve 17", it includes -a valve member 18 which is urged seated by a spring 19 and which may be forced open bycpressure fluid acting ona diaphragm motor 20 Pressure to' actuate the motor 20 is conducted from the pipe 12 by a. branch connection 21 The various parts of the valve 17? are similar in construction-and similarly numbered but with-the distinguishing sub script n.

It follows from the above that when the pipe-12 is subject to pressure, the pipe 12 is vented. Consequently, the thermostat. 11 is rendered active arid the valve 17" is opened to permit the thermostat 11 to control the diaphragm motor 8 at the same, time the thermostat 11 is rendered inactive and the valve17 is caused to close so that the thermostat 11 may exert no interfering efiect on the diaphragm motor 8.

As suggested, various changes may be made in the specific construction of'the thermostats 11 and 11".. While most thermostatsy io erate to' close" the heat regulating valve? byadmitting pressure to the diaphragm motor 8, thermostats are known which operate in the reverse sense, and, ob-

viously, to avail of such a-therm'ostat it would be necessary to reversethe action of the motor.8 and spring 9- so that the spring n1'ges the valveclosed and the ,motor acts in opposition to force it open. 'Both types of thermostatand both types of heatrcontrol valve being known,. it is deemed unnecessary toillustrate the possible reversed arrangement which will be obvious to any one skilled in the art.' So far as the present tially the same as correspondingly num- I bered parts in Fig. 1. The parts 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, with the respective subscripts d and n are omitted, and a single valve mechanism, capable of performing the same function,- is substituted. Furthermore, the" supply lines 12 and 12 are not connected directly with the thermostats 11 and 11, but are connected through a diverting valve mechanism which may be set in two different positions.

In the normal position the pipe 12 is in communication with the thermostat 11 and the pipe 12 is in communication with the thermostat 11. In the abnormalposition designed to permit day temperature to be maintained in a room while the system is set tomaintainnight temperature, the thermostat 11 is cut oif from the pipe 12 and vented to atmosphere, and an automatic valve mechanism functions to connect whichever one of-the pipes 12 or 12 is under pressure, with the thermostat 11.

This diverting valve mechanism includes a body 25 having a plug cock 26 rotatable therein. Pipe 12 communicates with one port of this cock and thepipe 27 communicates with another port and leads" to the supply connection of the thermostat 11. There are two atmospheric vent; ports in the body 25, indicated at 28 and 29'. I There is a diverting connection 30 also leading to a port In the body 25. The plug 26 is provided with a T-shaped port 31 and with a recess 32. .The parts are so arranged that in normal position (see Room 2) pipe 30 is .connected to vent 29 byre'cess 32, 'In the abnormal position (see Room 1) pi e 12 is connected to pipe 30 by port .31, an pipe 27 .1s connected 1 to atmospheric vent 28 by recess 32.

= The pipe 30 is connected directly to a valve 33 having two opposed seats 34, 35, against which a valve member 36 alternately seats, these seats .being'formed in a chamber 37. The pipe 30 is connected to a pas sage leading to the upper seat 34. The pi e I2 is connected to a passage leading to the lower seat 35, and the chamber 37 is connected by a pipe 38 with-the-supply connec- Y tion of the thermostat 11". The valve 36 is operated in reverse directions by a dia-' phragm pressure motor 39 and an opposing connected to pipe 12. and thermostat 11 is always connected to pipe 12. In the abnormal condition (see Room 1) pipe 27 is disconnected from pipe 12 and vented to atmosphere. e

Rememberin that pipe 12 is vented by the master va ve when pipe 12 is under pressure, and vice versa, and that the position of valve 36 is controlled b the pressure condition in pipe 121, it will be observed that whichever one of the pipes 12 or 12 is under pressure will be connected to the pipe 38 and hence in supplying relation with the day thermostat 11. This last statementapplies only when plug 36 is in the abnormal position shown in Room 1.

Since only one of the two thermostats can be active at a time, it is-possible to provide means to connect these thermostats selectively with the motor .8 by a device responsive to the supply pressure condition for one thermostat, instead of usin twoseparate valves, as is done in Fig. 1. lhis possibility is illustrated in Fig. 2.

45 is a pressure motor subject'to the pressure in pipe27, and acts in an upward di- ,trated in connection with Room 1, Fig. 2, I

rection on a valve 46 against the resistance of a spring 47 The valve 46 moves within a chamber 48 between an upper seat 49 and a lower seat 50. The v to the chamber 48. T e controlling pressure line 51 of the thermostat 11 is connected to the port in seat and the control pressure line 52 of'the thermostat 11 is connected to the port in seat 49.

Thus when pipe 27 is under pressure, motor 45 moves'valve 46 to seal against the upper seat 49, disconnecting thermostat 11 from the motor 8 and connecting the thermostat' 11 therewith. Conversel pressure is vented from the pipel2i, sprin 47 moves the valve 46 downward to sea against the seat 50, connecting-thermostat 11 with motor 8 and disconnecting thermostat 11 therefrom.

If all the. cock plugs 26 are set in normal position, i. e., the position shown in Room 2, the system illustrated in Fig. 2 will function in su stantially the same manner as the system described'in Fig. 1', that is, it will mam- -tain.day temperature in all rooms when line 12 is under pressure and line 12 'ls vented, and night temperature in allt'he rooms when line 12 is under pressure and line 12 is vented. However, if any plug cock 26 be shifted to abnormal position, as is illus- *the temperature of the corresponding room will be maintained at the day setting by the thermostat 11 and this action will occur regardless of the setting of "the control valve 15.

pipe 10 is connected when The same latitude in the selection of thermostats, heat controlling valves, and the like, as has been suggested with reference to Fig. 1, is possible in the structure of Fig. 2. The invention resides, not in the adoption of any particular typelof pneumatic thermostat, but

in the rovision of a duplex thermostat system with individual supply lines. both syssupply of motive fluidto said means; in-

dividual pressure fluid supply. lines connected with corresponding ones of said thermostats; and adjustable means for supplying pressure fluid to said lines selectively.

2. The combination of pressure actuated heat controllin means; a plurality of fluid pressure contro ling thermostats; individual pressure fluid supply lines connected with corresponding ones'of said thermostats; adjustable means for supplying pressure fluid to said lines selectively; and means responsive to fluid ressure for connecting said thermostats se ectively in controlling relation with said pressure actuated means.

3. The combination of pressure actuated heat controlling means; a plurality of fluid pressure controlling thermostats; individual pressure fluid supply lines connected with corresponding ones of said thermostats; adjustable means for supplying pressure fluid to said lines selectively; and means responsive to the pressure in one of said supply lines for connecting said thermostats selectively in controlling relation with said pres sure actuated means.

4'. The combinationof pressure actuated heat controlling means; a pair of fluid pressure, controlling thermostats connected to control the pressure in said pressure actuated means, said thermostats each being rentively; and a diverting device adjustable to two positions, in one of which it connects respective thermostats to corresponding lines, and in the other of which it disconnects one thermostat from its line and establishes a feeding connection by which either line may supply the other thermostat with motive fluid.

5. The combination of pressure actuated heat controlling means; a pair of fluid PI'QS'; sure controlling thermostats connected to. control the pressure in sald ressure actuated device, said thermostats eac being rendered operative by. the. supply of motive fluid thereto; a pair of motive fluid supply lines each one corresponding to a particular. one of said thermostats; adjustable means for supplying motive fluid to said lines selec tively; and a diverting device including a manually operable valve and a pressure actuated valve so arranged that in one position of the manually operated valve each thermostat is connected to the corresponding supply line, and in the other position of the valve one thermostat is disconnected and the pressure actuated valve functions in response to supply pressure to connect the other thermostat withwhichever line is supplied with motivefluid.

6. The combination. of pressure actuated thermostats from its supply line, and sub-,.

stantially simultaneously rendering said normally inactive means active.

7. The combination of pressure actuated heat controlling means; a pair of fluid pressure controlling thermostats adapted in alternation with each other to control the fluid pressure in said pressure actuated means; a

pair of individual pressure fluid supply lines each normally connected with a corresponding one of said thermostats; adjustable means for supplyingpressure fluid to said lines selectively; normally inactive motor actuated valve means for connectin one of said thermostats automatically to whichever of said supply lines is supplied with pressure fluid; and manually operable means for disconnecting .the other of said thermostats from its supply line, venting said other thermostat, and substantially simultaneously .rendering said normally inactive means active.

8. The combination of. pressure actuated heat controlling means; a'pair of fluld pressure. controlling thermostats; individual pressure fluid supply lines normally con-' nected with corres onding ones of said thermostats; adjusta le means for supplying pressure fluid to said lines selectively; means responsive to the suppl pressure at one of said thermostats for connecting said thermostats selectively in controllin relation with said pressure actuated contro ling means; a manually operable valve controlling the supply to the last named thermostat, and

supply of pressure fluid thereto;

supply of pressure fluid t motor.

9. The combination of'pressure actuated heat controlling means; a pair of fluid pressure controlling thermostats; indivldual pressure fluid supply lines normally connected with. corresponding ones of said thermostats; adjustable means for supplying a pressure fluid to said lines selectively; means responsive to the supply pressure at one-of said thermostats for connecting said thermostats selectively in controlling rela tion with. said pressure actuated controlling means; a manually operable valve controllm the supply to the last named thermostat, an ad ustable to a position in which it vents said thermostat and connects its supply line to a diverting connection; a valve controlhug the supply of pressure fluid to the other thermostat and serving in normal position to connect said thermostat with its supply line andvin abnormal position interruptingsuch connection and establishing connection wlth said diverting connection; means for urging said valve toi'ts normal position; a motor for shifting said valve to abnormal posltlon; and-a connection from'said divert- 1ng connection to said last named motor;

10. The combination of two sets of pneumatic thermostats of a type activated by the a plurality of pressure actuated-heat regulatin means each connebted to be controlled y one thermostat of each set; two pressure fluid supply lines each connected with all the thermostats of a corresponding set; and means for supplying motive air to said lines selectively. r l Thecombinatiori of two sets of pneu-' matic thermostats of a type activated by the supply of pressure fluid thereto paplurality of pressure actuated heat regulating means each connected to be controlled b one thermostat of each set; two pressure uid supply hnes each connected with all the thermostats of a corresponding set; means for sulpplyin motive air to said lines selective y; an

means operable to disconnect a thermostat l of one set from its line and connect the corresponding thermostat of. the other set with the line of the first set.

12. The combination of two sets of pneu- I matic thermostats of a t e activated by the ereto; a plurality ofpressnre actuated heat regulating means connections between each of said means an one thermostat of each set; means for controlling said connections;'two pressure fluid supply lines each connected with all the thermostats of a corresponding set; means for supplying motive air to said lines selectively; and means controlled by said selective supply and'serving to actuate said con nection controlling means to connect said 10 regulating means selectively! to the active set of thermostats.

I In testimony whereof I have slgned my name to this specification.

' CHARLES LYMAN FORTIER. 

